With two Michelin Stars under its belt, The Ledbury could easily fail under the hefty weight of expectation. It doesn’t.

The Venue
The Ledbury is a beautifully presented venue that has iconic status in Notting Hill. The corner-positioned building, with a walled-off alfresco dining area on one side and small potted trees on the other, makes a statement in bold black. There’s a very pleasant walkway into the restaurant with a gleaming tiled floor and small black canopy over the door declaring simply ‘The Ledbury’.

Inside, it’s glamorous without being smug. The tables are immaculately presented with pristine white tablecloths and gleaming glass and silverware. A mirrored wall makes the restaurant seem larger and airier than it is, helped by the large windows. Dark chandeliers and heavy black curtains contrast with the swathes of white but it’s not a restaurant that has put style over substance, best showcased by the incredibly comfortable seating – soft leather and high-backed, it's like sitting on a little cloud of air.

The Atmosphere
The service at The Ledbury is absolutely immaculate. From the moment you’re greeted you’re made to feel special, yet you’re given some breathing space from the constant attention and not made to feel claustrophobic by the staff’s desire to please. The crowd is, of course, perfectly groomed, mainly moneyed and a mix of businesspeople schmoozing clients, couples celebrating special occasions and socialites just enjoying yet another trust fund night of fine dining. It’s all very refined and yet it’s not at all intimidating or daunting. Instead it’s almost friendly in tone.

The Food
And this is where The Ledbury earns every one of its five stars. It’s not easy to win two Michelin stars and they prove why they're widely considered to be one of London’s best restaurants. The food is really a journey through the art of cooking – and art really is the best description, so beautifully presented is each dish. You do pay for the privilege though with three courses (along with various added palate-cleansers and appetisers along the way) costing £75 a head, not including service and wine.

For starters, it’s worth paying a £5 supplement for the terrine of foie gras. It's out of this world. Creamy but delicate it practically melts in the mouth and comes with beautifully delicate cooked and raw apple that's been soaked in sake for an unusual sweet but alcoholic kick that strangely lifts the creaminess of the foie gras. It’s a simple dish but one that showcases the abilities of the kitchen to a tee.

For mains, the roast turbot with radishes, buckwheat and squid actually manages to eclipse the starter. The turbot is widely considered to be an incredibly delicious piece of fish but here it’s so perfectly cooked and meaty, with a delicate flavour that lingers in the mouth long after you swallow, you’ll consider any other turbot dishes to be sub-standard in comparison. The squid is also perfectly cooked and, again, beautifully presented, but not so pretentiously dolled up that you can’t tell what it is. The radishes add a nice peppery flavour to the dish and the buckwheat manages to bulk it out just enough to make it a light but satisfying main course that won’t leave you feeling hungry.

Finally, for desserts they have really pushed the boat out, with unusual mixes of sweet and savoury and twists on the classics. This is perfectly highlighted by the olive oil panna cotta. The texture is absolutely perfect – soft, creamy, melt-in-the-mouth. And the olive oil flavour adds a strange richness to each mouthful and tastes almost buttery. It’s accompanied by an unusual fig leaf ice cream that’s strangely refreshing and avoids being too sweet. The flavour combinations are almost alien and yet they are delicious once you throw yourself into experiencing new sensations. And that will be why it has two Michelin stars.

The Drink
The wine list is extensive. It covers every country and region, every grape variety and combination of grape varieties, and it covers (almost) every budget, although you can expect to fork out £36 a bottle at the very least, and this quickly rises into the hundreds. They have some particularly exciting and rare bottles, including an unusual collection from Hungary, Bulgaria and Slovenia. If you’re trying not to go too nuts with the credit card then they have to be complimented on their choice of wine by the glass, starting at £7.50, which can substantially reduce your bill without detracting from your overall experience.

The Last Word
Over-hyped restaurants are often a victim of their own success. Not so at The Ledbury, which satisfies – and indeed exceeds – all expectations.

venue information venue map view london review user reviews (2) image gallery (15)